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Table 4 Lessons Learned/Advice Following the First Year of Implementation

From: First-year implementation of mailed FIT colorectal cancer screening programs in two Medicaid/Medicare health insurance plans: qualitative learnings from health plan quality improvement staff and leaders

Key Suggestions

Collaborative Model (Nā€‰=ā€‰5)

Centralized Model (Nā€‰=ā€‰5)

Engagement

ā€ƒObtain strong leadership support and buy-in at health plan level at the onset

X

X

ā€ƒMake sure to have all the appropriate health plan leaders/staff involved early in planning process

X

X

ā€ƒMake sure clinics and provider groups are onboard & engaged as partners early on in planning process

X

X

ā€ƒDetermine best way to engage and partner with vendors

X

X

Planning

ā€ƒDevelop a timeline/allow for at least 6ā€‰months of planning prior to implementation to work out complexities

X

X

ā€ƒEnsure adequate staffing at health plan level to execute program, including a designated project manager

X

X

ā€ƒEnsure all staff are aware of the program and there is adequate staffing for taking member calls, checking that returned kits are properly labeled, etc.

X

X

ā€ƒIdentify resources to pay for kits, mailings, reminders, etc.

X

X

ā€ƒEstablish clear and adequate oversight with vendors

X

X

ā€ƒDetermine early on the return on investment model to evaluate the program

Ā 

X

Member Eligibility

ā€ƒOutreach methods (mail, reminder calls, etc.) should match the patient population being targeted

X

Ā 

ā€ƒScrub (clean) the list prior to mailing and remove those already screened, not established at a clinic, no address, or not a good candidate

X

Ā 

ā€ƒIf opt-out approach is offered or requested, extra time will be needed to take out certain populations for provider groups/clinics

Ā 

X

FIT Mailing/Tracking/ Processing

ā€ƒDevelop data tracking spreadsheets and a reporting infrastructure

X

Ā 

ā€ƒMake sure to have process for ensuring FIT kits are labelled correctly so they are processed

X

Ā 

ā€ƒHave health centers/clinics use same FIT to reduce complexities

X

Ā 

ā€ƒAccess or create a tool that will allow for standing orders so health plan can order kits

Ā 

X

ā€ƒTrack ongoing challenges to rectify any barriers to make the process more efficient

Ā 

X